Get your STEM on with Cristy Burne

Cristy Burne knows how to write action-packed outdoor adventures – while also throwing in a science fact or two! Her trio of survivor stories, Beneath the Trees, Off the Track and To the Lighthouse, will transport kids into the wilderness, inspiring them to get outside and connect with the natural world around them.

Cristy has combined her love of storytelling with her degrees in biotechnology and science communication to help foster creativity, daring and resilience in her readers. To get your kids into STEM-related activities, here are our top classroom activities inspired by her books.

To the Lighthouse

Kids will be encouraged to get their creative juices flowing when they engage in activities such as designing their own lighthouse, drawing their own island, creating a graphic novel or even writing their own adventure story in this activity booklet. The activity booklet covers curriculum subjects such as Literacy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture, Maths, Technology and Visual Arts, with helpful tips throughout.

Or you can let their imaginations go wild with the Design Your Own Holiday Adventure activity sheet, which encourages creative thinking, geography skills and visual learning.

For more teaching activities, download the free teaching notes here. 

Off the Track

A book about falling in love with the bush and disconnecting from technology, Off the Track, teaches problem-solving skills and the importance of working together. The Make Your Own Survival Whistle activity sheet is designed to incorporate science and visual art to foster active listening, creativity and design skills.

For more teaching activities, download the free teaching notes here.

Beneath the Trees

Have you ever seen a platypus in the wild? Learn all about monotremes in Beneath the Trees, then enjoy making a platypus bookmark with the help of Cristy’s activity sheet.

Have you ever wondered ‘what kind of animal is a platypus’? This activity sheet incorporates biological science, English and visual art using research, literacy skills and creative design skills.

For more teaching activities, download the free teaching notes here.